STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1289

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

 

RE:   S.B. No. 1442

      S.D. 2

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Human Services & Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 1442, S.D. 2, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHER EDUCATION BOARD ALLOWANCE FOR FORMER FOSTER YOUTH,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this bill is to encourage former foster youth to pursue post-secondary education by expanding opportunities for higher education board allowances.  This bill:

 

(1)  Increases the time limit to apply for these allowances from one year following high school graduation to the end of the age of twenty-one;

 

(2)  Increases the maximum age to take advantage of the allowances from twenty-one years of age to twenty-six years of age;

 

(3)  Sets the maximum benefit period at sixty months; and

 

     (4)  Appropriates unspecified funds for this purpose.

 

     The Department of Human Services, Hawaii Youth Services Network, Hawaii Foster Youth Coalition and its Maui Chapter, Hawaii Family Forum, Hawaii Catholic Conference, Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, and many concerned individuals testified in support of this bill.  Hawaii Foster Parent Association supported the intent of this measure.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services & Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1442, S.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services & Housing,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

MAILE SHIMABUKURO, Chair